Douelles

Douelles are the individual wooden slats, or staves, that form the curved sides of a barrel, cask, or keg. They are arranged edge to edge around a central axis and held in place by metal hoops, which together determine the vessel’s shape and its ability to hold liquids. The barrel ends, or heads, cap the structure, and the fit between staves and heads governs overall stability and leak resistance.

Most douelles are made from oak, particularly white oak, for wine and spirit casks because of the wood’s strength, tight grain, and specific permeability that can influence flavor. Other woods such as chestnut or ash have been used in various traditions or for non-food uses. The staves are cut with beveled edges so they butt together tightly, then shaped to a slight curve. They are heated or bent to form a circular body and are bound with hoops; the joints swell during filling to help seal the vessel.

In the practice of coopering, the term douelle (the French word for stave) underscores the central role of these components in traditional barrel-making. Barrels constructed from douelles are used for aging and transporting beverages, as well as for storage in various industries. The crafts of selecting appropriate wood, cutting, bending, and finishing (including toast or charring of the inner surfaces for certain beverages) contribute to both the structural integrity and the character imparted to the contents. Douelles thus define a barrel’s durability and its culinary or industrial properties.